Forerunner to the Spyder?

[kalavera]

I was looking at the latest American Iron Magazine and was reading the article about the HD Servi-Car 1932- 1973

page 113 by Jim Babchak

The article talks about another three wheel vehicle that predates event the servi-car. The 1910 Model 10G Fore-Car (the first three wheeled Harley Davidson sold to the public).

"That bike is a standard two-wheeler from the neck of the frame back, but uses special front fork housing two-wheels and an axle up front, with a box between the front wheels to store goods to be delivered. The 10G's front wheels steer, and the single chain-driven trailing wheel powers the machine. The Fore-Car is so named because it places the car portion ahead of the motorcycle portion of the machine. Much like some of the more interesting creations being developed today, with two wheels up front and one wheel behind, The Fore-Car was a century ahead of its time."

http://www.harleyclasica.es/Fotos/Trabajo/Img/1915%20U.S%20Mail%20Service.jpg
http://www.harleyclasica.es/Fotos/Trabajo/Img/1913%20NY%20deliveryman.jpg
http://www.harleyclasica.es/Fotos/Trabajo/Img/Escanear0003.jpg
http://www.harleyclasica.es/Fotos/Trabajo/Img/Forecar%20Animal.jpg
http://www.harleyclasica.es/Fotos/Trabajo/Img/Forecar%20Farchmins.jpg
http://www.harleyclasica.es/Fotos/Trabajo/Img/Escanear0002.jpg
http://www.harleyclasica.es/Fotos/Trabajo/Img/1915%20Negocios.jpg

[Don in E Texas]

Very interesting... thanks for sharing...

don

[Roaddog2]

Wow they neven worked in the snow :2thumbs::ani29:

[Big Arm]

kalavera, Thanks for the post and old pics. :thumbup:

A week ago we had our Awesome Biker Nights here in Sioux City, IA.
Parked next to me was this old Cushman delivery scooter. This had an engraved plate attached from the National Cushman Association, being original.
I forgot what yr. the owner told me it was.
Just thought I'd share, since I also figured this could have also been a
forerunner to the spyder.

[csmead]

This bit of trivia may interest you:
In 2004, HD patented a three-wheeler...looking much like the Spyder. They figured they was loosing money by not producing a trike and so many of their riders were getting older and seeking aftermarket help. The rumor is that this new model was too different and it was felt that their target group could not accept something so different. Hence, the go-ahead was given to produce the 2009 trike, running about $35,000. Just a few dollars short of want it cost to buy a new bike and sent it in to the conversion shop in Bakersfield (to add the two wheel back axle).
You can find the HD 3 wheel, simular to Spyder, patent on line.

[jwfranklin]

Kowing how Harley is about infrigments on their patents and logo's. I'm suprised they aren't suing. About 20 years ago a Friend of mine started a business building utility trailers. His vin numbers for his trailers, assigned to him, had hd in it for heavy duty. He got a letter from a Harley lawyer asking him to cease using hd on his trailers. He referred them to the state and never heard anymore from them. Makes me wonder about my Silverado HD.

Wayne

[gazey]

Cool aerodynamics. Bet they get a bit wobbly over 100 :yikes:

[shunkmanitu]

something like that today for 600 pounds. With that weight above the front axel all it would take would be a couple good disk brakes to make an automatic dump trike!

[kalavera]

i bet these things would be interesting to ride today.
I wonder if any still exist? Never been to Harley Museum... been wanting to though